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View of a walkway and benches on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.History & DiscoveriesTop 5 Spots to Enjoy Spring on the Capitol CampusSpring in Washington, D.C., is one of the most beautiful times to visit the nation's capital. Learn about five beautiful, and less known spots, to enjoy the warm weather near the U.S. Capitol.Read the Story

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Areas of Expertise (field_relation_expertise)
        ExpertiseArchitectureElectricalEngineeringGardeningHistoric PreservationMasonryMechanicsMetal WorkPainting and PlasterPlumbingVisitor ServicesWoodcrafting
Place (field_relation_place) (entityreference filter)
        PlaceBartholdi Fountain and GardensBrumidi CorridorsCannon House Office BuildingCapitol DomeCapitol Power PlantCapitol RotundaCapitol Subway SystemCryptDirksen Senate Office BuildingFort MeadeLongworth House Office BuildingNational Statuary HallO'Neill House Office BuildingOld Senate ChamberOld Supreme Court ChamberOlmsted TerraceOutdoor GardensPackard CampusRussell Senate Office BuildingSmall House RotundaSummerhouseSupreme Court BuildingThomas Jefferson BuildingU.S. Botanic Garden ConservatoryU.S. Botanic Garden Production FacilityU.S. Capitol BuildingU.S. Capitol GroundsU.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Ongoing Projects (field_relation_project) (entityreference filter)
        ProjectCannon RenewalCapitol Building Paint Analysis and Plaster RepairsCapitol Exterior Preservation - Stone and MetalDome Restoration ProjectGrant Memorial ConservationHeritage Asset ConservationOlmsted Terrace PreservationRussell Exterior Envelope ProjectStone Preservation on the Capitol Campus
Article TypeBehind the Scenes

                    Doing Good

                    From the Architect

                    History & Discoveries

                    Programs & Events

                    Projects
      One of the four Olmsted lanterns on the west side of the U.S. Capitol Grounds, restored in 2020.

Projects

  Olmsted Lanterns Restoration
By kate holder |February 4, 2021
The large bronze and glass lanterns are located just off Garfield Circle and Peace Circle.
    Conditions of the U.S. Capitol's copper roof before replacement.

Projects

  Continuous Care of the U.S. Capitol Roof
By laura condeluci |March 25, 2020
Like most beloved national treasures from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Statue of Liberty, the U.S. Capitol Building roof requires continuous care. Once a section has been replaced, it is regularly inspected as part of preventive maintenance.
    Jets of water and a piece of stone.

Projects

  What's Happening Behind the Capitol Scaffolding?
By erin courtney |May 10, 2016
To answer this question, we travel to a brick building in Vienna, Virginia, where the hum of an industrial-sized machine is unmistakable. Littering the fenced-in courtyard of the building are massive slabs of stone of all shapes and colors.
    Stone preservation on the U.S. Capitol.

Projects

  At the AOC, It's Always Home Improvement Time
By justin kieffer |June 24, 2021
While most people have one structure to take care of, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is hard at work on multiple projects to care for the buildings across Capitol Hill.
    Projects

  Expert Metalwork Revealed in Restoration of the U.S. Capitol Dome
By aoc staff |April 10, 2015
Many ornamental and functional cast iron parts of the U.S. Capitol Dome are so broken and badly damaged that they cannot be repaired on site. For the restoration, we traveled to the Salt Lake City foundry to see firsthand how the work to re-create these pieces is done.
    Restoring the windows of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Projects

  Preserving Historic Windows and Doors
By kristen frederick |February 12, 2019
The preservation of the Cannon House Office Building's historic windows and doors allows the building to retain much of its original character and charm, while increasing the building's functionality for those who work and visit within its walls. Learn more about the process.
    A balustrade at the Russell Senate Office Building.

Projects

  Covering the Home Team
By justin kieffer |January 31, 2022
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has a deep bench of talented employees that continue to complete critical projects across the Capitol campus year after year.
    Stone sculpture.

Projects

  It's About Time
By franklin bradley |December 15, 2016
Time has taken its toll on the United State Capitol's stone, but our preservation effort will restore even the finer details, hand-carved by artisans. The more complex items are being recreated by a stone carver on-site, who is carving from the same stone blocks the original craftsmen worked.
    New Target Test

Projects

  Capitol Rotunda Restoration
By matt guilfoyle |June 26, 2015
The restoration of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda will ensure this hallowed space will be enjoyed by generations for years to come. Work includes removing hazardous materials, restoring ironwork, upgrading electrical and mechanical systems, installing new lighting and repainting.
    The Caucus Room chandelier, a prominent feature of the space, can be seen in original photos dating to 1908.

Projects

  Cannon Light Fixture Restoration
By aimee jorjani |September 27, 2022
While light fixtures are like jewelry to a room, they can also set a tone for the significance of the space. Naturally, they also provide illumination to enable work and safe movement.
    A tree and building with blue sky.

Projects

  Group Project: The Russell Building Courtyard
By justin kieffer |March 21, 2023
The Russell Senate Office Building courtyard was recently restored as a supplement to the Russell Exterior Envelope Project.
    Two people working with stone.

Projects

  Crumbling Down and Building Up
By matt guilfoyle |September 29, 2014
Addressing the stone pandemic across the Capitol campus takes a team of historic preservationists, structural engineers and stonemasons, among others.
    USBG Arborist Shaun Abell, who helped install the new, higher fogger system, at the top of the Tropics house.

Projects

  Employees Lead U.S. Botanic Garden Horticultural Renovations
By devin dotson |February 15, 2022
Several U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) employees recently led projects inside the Conservatory to improve the growing spaces and showcase more of the permanent plant collection.
    Condition of the stone on the Russell Building pre-restoration.

Projects

  Leave No Stone Unrestored
By justin kieffer |January 11, 2018
All around the U.S. Capitol campus, there is something that you cannot avoid seeing as you look at the historic buildings: stone. Stone preservation will continue to be a priority of the Architect of the Capitol as the best way to maintain these buildings is to constantly monitor them.
    Sculpture detail of a person playing an instrument.

Projects

  Conserving the Grant Memorial
By michele cohen |July 18, 2016
The Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Curator for the Architect of the Capitol describes the restoration work on the bronze components and marble pedestals. When completed viewers will again see the subtle details of the original sculpture.
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